Fools

What to Know About Fools. How to Deal with Fools. How to Not Be a Fool. What to Do If You Already Are a Fool.

“⁴ For you are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with you. ⁵ The foolish shall not stand in your sight: you hate all workers of iniquity. ⁶ You shall destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.” Psalm 5:4–6

“¹ The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good. ² The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. ³ They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that does good, no, not one.” Psalm 14:1–3

“¹ O LORD, rebuke me not in your wrath: neither chasten me in your hot displeasure. ² For your arrows stick fast in me, and your hand presses me sore. ³ There is no soundness in my flesh because of your anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. ⁴ For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. ⁵ My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. ⁶ I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. ⁷ For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. ⁸ I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.” Psalm 38:1–8

“⁷ And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in you. ⁸ Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. ⁹ I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because you did it. ¹⁰ Remove your stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of your hand. ¹¹ When you with rebukes do correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.” Psalm 39:7–11

“⁵ Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? ⁶ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; ⁷ None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: ⁸ (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases for ever:) ⁹ That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. ¹⁰ For he sees that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. ¹¹ Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. ¹² Nevertheless man being in honour abides not: he is like the beasts that perish. ¹³ This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. ¹⁴ Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. ¹⁵ But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.” Psalm 49:5–15

“¹ The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good. ² God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. ³ Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that does good, no, not one.” Psalm 53:1–3

“⁴ They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. ⁵ O God, you know my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from you. ⁶ Let not them that wait on you, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek you be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.” Psalm 69:4–6

“² But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. ³ For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴ For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. ⁵ They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.” Psalm 73:2–5

“²¹ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. ²² So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before you. ²³ Nevertheless I am continually with you: you have holden me by my right hand. ²⁴ You shall guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside you. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Psalm 73:21–26

“¹⁸ Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed your name. ¹⁹ O deliver not the soul of your turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of your poor for ever. ²⁰ Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. ²¹ O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise your name. ²² Arise, O God, plead your own cause: remember how the foolish man reproaches you daily. ²³ Forget not the voice of your enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against you increases continually.” Psalm 74:18–23

“⁴ I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: ⁵ Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. ⁶ For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. ⁷ But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another.” Psalm 75:4–7

“⁸ I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. ⁹ Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.” Psalm 85:8–9

“⁵ O LORD, how great are your works! and your thoughts are very deep. ⁶ A brutish man knows not; neither does a fool understand this. ⁷ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:” Psalm 92:5–7

“⁸ Understand, you brutish among the people: and you fools, when will you be wise? ⁹ He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? ¹⁰ He that chastises the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teaches man knowledge, shall not he know? ¹¹ The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.” Psalm 94:8–11

“¹⁷ Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. ¹⁸ Their soul abhors all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. ¹⁹ Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saves them out of their distresses. ²⁰ He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. ²¹ Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ²² And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” Psalm 107:17–22

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“²⁰ Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets: ²¹ She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying, ²² How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? ²³ Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. ²⁴ Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; ²⁵ But you have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: ²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes; ²⁷ When your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes upon you. ²⁸ Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: ²⁹ For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: ³⁰ They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. ³¹ Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. ³² For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. ³³ But whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:20–33

“³³ The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just. ³⁴ Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace unto the lowly. ³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” Proverbs 3:33–35

“²¹ For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his goings. ²² His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. ²³ He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.” Proverbs 5:21–23

“²¹ With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. ²² He goes after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; ²³ Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hastens to the snare, and knows not that it is for his life.” Proverbs 7:21–23

“¹ Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? ² She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. ³ She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. ⁴ Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. ⁵ O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be of an understanding heart.” Proverbs 8:1–5

“¹ Wisdom has builded her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars: ² She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table. ³ She has sent forth her maidens: she cries upon the highest places of the city, ⁴ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that lacks understanding, she says to him, ⁵ Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁶ Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” Proverbs 9:1–6

“¹³ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing. ¹⁴ For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways: ¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that lacks understanding, she says to him, ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸ But he knows not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” Proverbs 9:13–18

“The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.” Proverbs 10:1

“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.” Proverbs 10:8

“He that winks with the eye causes sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.” Proverbs 10:10

“Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” Proverbs 10:14

“He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18

“The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.” Proverbs 10:21

“It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding has wisdom.” Proverbs 10:23

“He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” Proverbs 11:29

“¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise. ¹⁶ A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame.” Proverbs 12:15–16

“A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.” Proverbs 12:23

“Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly.” Proverbs 13:16

“¹⁹ The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. ²⁰ He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:19–20

“Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.” Proverbs 14:1

“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.” Proverbs 14:3

“⁷ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge. ⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. ⁹ Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” Proverbs 14:7–9

“¹⁶ A wise man fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident. ¹⁷ He that is soon angry deals foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. ¹⁸ The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” Proverbs 14:16–18

“The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.” Proverbs 14:24

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly.” Proverbs 14:29

“Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.” Proverbs 14:33

“The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.” Proverbs 15:2

“A fool despises his father’s instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.” Proverbs 15:5

“The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not so.” Proverbs 15:7

“The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.” Proverbs 15:14

“²⁰ A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother. ²¹ Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.” Proverbs 15:20–21

“Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that has it: but the instruction of fools is folly.” Proverbs 16:22

“Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.” Proverbs 17:7

“¹⁰ A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. ¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. ¹² Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.” Proverbs 17:10–12

“Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?” Proverbs 17:16

“He that begets a fool does it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool has no joy.” Proverbs 17:21

“²⁴ Wisdom is before him that has understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. ²⁵ A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.” Proverbs 17:24–25

“²⁷ He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. ²⁸ Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:27–28

“A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” Proverbs 18:2

“⁶ A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes. ⁷ A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Proverbs 18:6–7

“He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13

“Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” Proverbs 19:1

“The foolishness of man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the LORD.” Proverbs 19:3

“Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.” Proverbs 19:10

“A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.” Proverbs 19:13

“Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.” Proverbs 19:29

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.” Proverbs 20:3

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.” Proverbs 21:20

“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15

“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” Proverbs 23:9

“Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opens not his mouth in the gate.” Proverbs 24:7

“The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.” Proverbs 24:9

“¹ As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. ² As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. ³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. ⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. ⁶ He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage. ⁷ The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ⁸ As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool. ⁹ As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ¹⁰ The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors. ¹¹ As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. ¹² Do you see a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Proverbs 26:1–12

“A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.” Proverbs 27:3

“Though you should bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.” Proverbs 27:22

“He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walks wisely, he shall be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

“If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.” Proverbs 29:9

“A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards.” Proverbs 29:11

“Do you see a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Proverbs 29:20

“²¹ For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: ²² For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with meat; ²³ For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.” Proverbs 30:21–23

“³² If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth. ³³ Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood: so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.” Proverbs 30:32–33

“¹⁶ I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. ¹⁷ And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. ¹⁸ For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.” Ecclesiastes 1:16–18

“¹ I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. ² I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What does it? ³ I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.” Ecclesiastes 2:1–3

“¹² And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that comes after the king? even that which has been already done. ¹³ Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. ¹⁴ The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walks in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happens to them all. ¹⁵ Then said I in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. ¹⁶ For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how does the wise man die? As the fool. ¹⁷ Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. ¹⁸ Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. ¹⁹ And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:12–19

“⁴ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. ⁵ The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh. ⁶ Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.” Ecclesiastes 4:4–6

“¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. ¹⁴ For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.” Ecclesiastes 4:13–14

“¹ Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. ² Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and you upon earth: therefore let your words be few. ³ For a dream comes through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words. ⁴ When you vow a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay that which you have vowed. ⁵ Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. ⁶ Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say you before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear you God.” Ecclesiastes 5:1–7

“⁷ All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. ⁸ For what has the wise more than the fool? what has the poor, that knows to walk before the living? ⁹ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecclesiastes 6:7–9

“² It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. ³ Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. ⁴ The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. ⁵ It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. ⁶ For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 7:2–6

“⁸ Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. ⁹ Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:8–9

“¹⁵ All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness. ¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself? ¹⁷ Be not over much wicked, neither be foolish: why should you die before your time? ¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all.” Ecclesiastes 7:15–18

“²⁵ I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: ²⁶ And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.” Ecclesiastes 7:25–26

“¹³ This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: ¹⁴ There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: ¹⁵ Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. ¹⁶ Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. ¹⁷ The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that rules among fools. ¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroys much good.” Ecclesiastes 9:13–18

“¹ Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. ² A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. ³ Yea also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he says to every one that he is a fool.” Ecclesiastes 10:1–3

“⁵ There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler: ⁶ Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. ⁷ I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” Ecclesiastes 10:5–7

“¹² The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. ¹³ The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. ¹⁴ A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? ¹⁵ The labour of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.” Ecclesiastes 10:12–15